Margaret Atwood a Canadian born Author who has recieved many awards and honourary degrees. She is a poet, essayist, and a critic among other great attributes. Her views on other cultures are insightful and makes you think about your role in the world. It is in her work that we find humour and truth.
In the story, "Letters to America" by Margaret Atwood, she speaks of her affection towards her memories of the American culture. Then she starts to speak of the negative effects that have happened, such as the war in Iraq and the ever consuming debt. Its clear that everything that has happened in America has its repercussions on Canadians, but the world has changed its views on how they view Americans.
Atwood expresses her disappointment of the downfall of the American culture. She makes a point of stating that "some of us used to be you; some of us wanted to be you; and some of you used to be us". We are neighbours as makes sure to note that even in history we were lumped together with Americans. Its clear that the Atwood disagrees with the war in Iraq the need to "rampage, many lesser plants and animals" in the way of conquering another place after a great devistation. The amount of money the Americans have spent on military equipment has caused them to go into debt, do they need to spend at an alarming rate? At the rate they are going they won't be able to "produce anything".
It is a "letter to Americans", but its a wake up call to Canadians, we've followed under their leadership, helped them in times of hardship, and when the time comes we will go straight down the "plughole" with them.
What would Americans think if we stopped helping them in their ill-thoughout plans?
I think American's have the mentality if we aren't with them we are against them which could make things such as traveling to the states not as easy. It would also effect our trading with them seeing as they are our number one trading partner. I don't agree with war and their health care system among many things and personally don't support it but if Canada as a country did not it would disadvantage our country in many ways I think.
ReplyDeleteLike Caitlyn says, I to don't agree with many things the Americans do. As for some of the mistakes they have made I believe it would be denial to admit that we haven't made some of the same mistakes. Like America we are also in dept and have joined them in their war efforts. Although we may have not gone to their extent in our mistakes we cannot ignore them. I believe many of these mistakes are affected by the U.S. In turn we definitely need to find our own path instead being tied onto a log that no longer floats and will eventually take us down with it. I enjoyed reading your analysis and completely agree that we as Canadians need a "wake up call".
ReplyDeleteI don’t think it would faze them at all. Canada made it clear that they were not going to take part in the War in Iraq, as did all other nations. Prime Minister, Tony Blair of Great Britain went along with the Americans and was condemned by his own people. Even though most nations were against this mission, it did not deter the Americans.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at what happened when France decided not to join the war in the Middle East you can get an idea of how they would feel. Maybe they would start call it "Freedom Bacon" and "Freedom Geese." But I think the average American wouldn't really care unless the media made a big deal over it.
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